Building Your First Home with Homes by Markon
Building Your First Home with Homes by Markon
Buying your first place should feel exciting—not overwhelming. At Homes by Markon, we guide you from finance pre-approval to handover with clear steps, honest communication and a fixed, transparent build plan. We’re a QBCC-licensed, family-run builder with 35+ years of experience across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounds—so you get practical advice and a smooth build, start to finish.
What Financial Help Exists for First Home Buyers (Australia-wide)?
Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS). Run by Housing Australia, this umbrella program includes the First Home Guarantee (FHBG), Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, and Family Home Guarantee. Key points: eligible buyers can purchase with as little as 5% deposit (or 2% for the Family Home Guarantee) without Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), subject to annual place limits and regional price caps.
There are 35,000 FHBG places in FY25/26, and caps for Queensland are currently $700,000 (Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast/Brisbane) and $550,000 (rest of QLD).
Help to Buy (shared-equity) – 2025 status. The Australian Government’s shared-equity program (allowing eligible buyers to enter with a 2% deposit and a government equity contribution of 30–40%) has had its program directions registered and is being operationalised by Housing Australia, with launch expected later in 2025, pending state legislation. We’ll keep you updated as soon as applications open.
Good to know: HGS places are limited and administered via participating lenders. We’ll help you and your broker/bank structure contracts and timing so you can secure a place if eligible.
Why First Home Buyers Choose Us
One team, end-to-end. From siting and soil tests to approvals, selections and build scheduling, we coordinate the lot so you’re not juggling multiple contacts.
Budget certainty. We help you align your design with lender price caps and government rules so you don’t miss out on support or run into avoidable cost overruns.
First-timer friendly. We explain each stage in plain English (no jargon), outline your progress payments up front and update you at every milestone.
Local, licensed, trusted. As a QBCC builder, our contracts, warranties and processes meet Queensland’s standards—giving you real peace of mind.
Materials are chosen for Queensland’s conditions. Steel frames keep your structure straight and termite-resistant. COLORBOND® roofs stand up to the climate. Low‑maintenance claddings, proper insulation, smart glazing and shading help your home stay comfortable and energy efficient for years to come.
In short, you get a QBCC-licensed builder with decades of experience, a friendly, family-oriented culture, and a commitment to doing things properly—no shortcuts, no surprises, just a great home built with care.
Extra Support in Queensland (current as of today)
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG). In QLD, eligible first-home buyers of new homes (including off-the-plan and contracts to build) can receive $30,000 for contracts dated 20 Nov 2023–30 June 2026 (otherwise $15,000 for earlier contracts). A combined home + land cap of $750,000 applies, alongside standard residency rules. Queensland Revenue Office
Stamp duty relief.
- New homes: For contracts dated 1 May 2025 or later, Queensland offers a full transfer-duty concession (nil duty) on your first home when it is a new (or substantially renovated) home—no value cap on the residential land portion. Conditions and ongoing obligations apply. Queensland Revenue Office
- Established homes: The first home concession applies up to $800,000, with no duty payable at or under $700,000, and tapered concessions between $700,001–$799,999. Queensland Revenue Office
We’ll help you design and document your build so you stay under relevant caps where needed and meet timing requirements for grants/concessions. Queensland Revenue Office
How Deposits, Loans & Payments Work (Simple Overview)
Deposit size.
- Typical loans require 20% to avoid LMI.
- Under the First Home Guarantee, eligible buyers can purchase with 5% (no LMI). Family Home Guaranteeallows 2% for eligible single parents/guardians. Place limits, price caps and eligibility apply. housingaustralia.gov.au
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
If you borrow more than 80% outside a government guarantee, lenders usually charge a one-off LMI that protects the lender (not you). The HGS is designed to remove that LMI cost for eligible buyers. MoneySmarthousingaustralia.gov.au
Loan types you’ll hear about.
- Construction loans: Funds are released to the builder in progress payments at agreed stages (base, frame, lock-up, fix, completion). You generally pay interest only on the drawn amount during construction. We align our contract and stage claims to your lender’s requirements to keep cashflow smooth.
- Rate/repayment options: Your lender/broker can explain variable vs fixed rates and principal-and-interest vs interest-only periods. We’re happy to coordinate with them so loan conditions match your build timeline.
Your First-Home Build with Us: Step-by-Step
"How does The Markon Group help with shaping a budget for my home?
We help you shape a budget that fits your loan pre-approval, HGS price caps and Queensland concessions/grants. (We can collaborate directly with your lender/broker.) housingaustralia.gov.au+1Queensland Revenue Office
What does the Land & Siting review include?
We review your block (fall, setbacks, services, covenants), advise on smart plan choices and confirm likely site costs before you commit.
What does a Fixed-Price Proposal include?
You’ll see inclusions, provisional sums (if any) and a progress-payment schedule that matches your lender’s stages—no surprises later.
How does The Markon Group assist with Contracts & Approvals?
We prepare building contracts and help you sequence signatures so they align with grant/guarantee eligibility and lender timelines.
What happens during the Build & Updates phase?
You’ll get milestone updates at each stage claim, plus site meetings as needed. We manage quality control and keep your bank informed for timely drawdowns. CommBank
What happens during Handover & Aftercare?
We walk you through your new home, warranties and maintenance tips—and we’re here long after move-in.
Quick FAQs for First-Timers
Can I build with a small deposit?
Possibly—if you qualify for an HGS place (e.g., 5% deposit under the First Home Guarantee; 2% under the Family Home Guarantee). You must also meet price caps and other criteria. We’ll help your lender structure contracts to suit.
Do I still pay stamp duty in Queensland?
For new homes under contracts dated 1 May 2025 or later, eligible first-home buyers can access a full (nil) duty concession. For established homes, there’s a concession to $800,000, with no duty at/under $700,000. Conditions apply.
What if Help to Buy opens this year—can I use it?
Once Help to Buy is live in QLD and your situation fits the eligibility rules, yes. It’s a shared-equity model with a 2% deposit and a government equity stake; applications are expected to open later in 2025 (subject to state legislation). We’ll keep you posted.
Is this financial advice?
No—this page is general information. Always confirm eligibility and loan suitability with your lender, broker or adviser.
Ready to Start?
Tell us where you’d like to build and your ballpark budget. We’ll map your finance pathway, check grant/concessioneligibility windows and present a fixed-price plan that feels right for your first home.
Read our indepth Blog on below to find out more
